The objective of this study is to design a polymeric
network of
nanogels for sustained release of caffeine. Therefore, alginate-based
nanogels were fabricated by a free-radical polymerization technique
for the sustained delivery of caffeine. Polymer alginate was crosslinked
with monomer 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid by crosslinker N′,N′-methylene bisacrylamide.
The prepared nanogels were subjected to sol–gel fraction, polymer
volume fraction, swelling, drug loading, and drug release studies.
A high gel fraction was seen with the increasing feed ratio of polymer,
monomer, and crosslinker. Greater swelling and drug release were observed
at pH 4.6 and 7.4 as compared to pH 1.2 due to the deprotonation and
protonation of functional groups of alginate and 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic
acid. An increase was observed in swelling, loading, and release of
the drug with the incorporation of a high feed ratio of polymer and
monomer, while a reduction was seen with the increase in crosslinker
feed ratio. Similarly, an HET-CAM test was used to evaluate the safety
of the prepared nanogels, which showed that the prepared nanogels
have no toxic effect on the chorioallantoic membrane of fertilized
chicken eggs. Similarly, different characterizations techniques such
as FTIR, DSC, SEM, and particle size analysis were carried out to
determine the development, thermal stability, surface morphology,
and particle size of the synthesized nanogels, respectively. Thus,
we can conclude that the prepared nanogels can be used as a suitable
agent for the sustained release of caffeine.